Bat Survey Report

Long Roods Farm, Ashford Lane

Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire

Produced by: Protected Species Surveys Contact: email: protectedspsurveys@gmail.com Client: Oldfield Design Location: Ashford Lane, Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire Date: October 2016 CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 3 2.0 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................... 4 3.0 RESULTS ....................................................................................................................... 5 4.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................... 6

FIGURES

Figure 1: Site Location Plan Figure 2: Proposed Working Area 1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Protected Species Surveys was commissioned by Oldfield Design to conduct a building assessment survey of a single storey stone built extension with a lean-to slate tiled roof at Long Roods Farm, Ashford Lane, Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire with respect to roosting bats. The purpose of the survey was to determine the potential of the building to support roosting bats in support of a planning application for a single storey extension on the western elevation of the building to replace the existing pump room.

1.2 The location of the works affects a single storey stone built extension on the western elevation on the main farm house. The site is located off Ashford Lane, Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire (central grid reference SK 186 711) set within a rural location of the Derbyshire Peak District (see Figure 1). A mix of arable and grazing pasture surrounds the site on all aspects and the wider area. Monsal viaduct (SSSI) is present approximately 275m north-east with the River Wye (SSSI) 478m north-east.

Site Proposals

1.3 The single storey extension (pump room) is to be demolished to facilitate a newly constructed single storey extension and conservatory (Figure 2).

Figure 1: Site Location (highlighted in red) 2.0 METHODOLOGY

Building Survey

2.1 The internal / external building assessment was carried out on 9th September 2016 to search for potential bat access points and evidence of bat activity in accordance with Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (BCT, 2016)(^1).

2.2 A licensed bat worker from Protected Species Surveys (Natural England Licence Number 2015-12339-CLS-CLS) with over nine years’ experience of bat work completed the building assessment of all buildings affected by the proposals within the site boundary.

2.3 Features such as small gaps under barge/soffit/fascia boards, raised or missing ridge tiles and gaps at gable ends, which have potential to be used as access points, were sought. Evidence that bats actively used potential access points includes staining within gaps and bat droppings or urine staining under gaps, a note being made wherever these were present. Where access to potential access points was possible a full inspection using an endoscope was completed to identify current or previous evidence of use such as the physical presence of bats or bat droppings. Indicators that potential access points had not recently been used included the presence of cobwebs and general detritus within the access. From this, features of likely / potential value for bats can be broadly identified and a decision made over the selection of locations for more detailed work if required.

Birds

2.4 During the survey evidence of current or previous usage of the building by other avifauna was also sought. Evidence sought included the presence of active or redundant nests in the buildings.

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(^1) Collins, J. (ed.) (2016) Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (3rd Edn). Bat Conservation Trust, London. 3.0 RESULTS

Building Survey

3.1 Building 1 (B1) was a single-storey stone built pump room with a lean-to slate tiled roof (plate 1). This building adjoined the western aspect of the main farm house building. A stone wall bordered the northern aspect of the pump room. Potential bat access points were limited to occasional gaps between the roof tiles. No roof void or underfelt was present within the building. No external or internal evidence of use by bats was identified during the survey including use of endoscope. The building was considered to offer negligible potential to support roosting bats.

Plate 1: View of small pump house with lean-to roof

Birds

3.2 During the building assessment no evidence of nesting birds was observed. Therefore, the presence of nesting birds has been identified as a statutory constraint to the proposals. 4.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 The initial building assessment carried out on 9th September 2016 comprised an internal and external bat and breeding bird scoping survey of the small single storey stone built pump room adjoining the western aspect of the main farm house by a licensed ecologist. Potential bat access points/roosting features were limited to occasional gaps within the lean-to roof, further inspections were carried out using an endoscope. No evidence of roosting bats was observed during the building inspection. The small pump house was considered to offer negligible potential to support roosting bats.

4.2 From the results of the completed building assessment it has been concluded that bats are not a statutory ecological constraint to the proposed works.

4.3 In the event the proposed works have not commenced within 12 months of the nocturnal assessments, it is recommended that an updated building assessment is undertaken to determine the current status of the site in terms of bats.

4.4 In the unlikely event that evidence of bat occupation or live bats are discovered during any stage of works, all works must stop immediately and further advice should be sought from Protected Species Surveys.

Birds

4.5 No evidence of nesting birds was identified during the building assessment. Therefore, the presence nesting birds are not a statutory constraint to the proposed operations. Client: Oldfield Design

Site Location: Long Rood Farm, Ashford Lane Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire

Date: October 2016

Proposed single storey extension and conservatory

Existing pump house building

Figure 2: Proposed Working Area